Indexing turret tool post



R. L.. BEEKMAN INDEXING TURRET TOOL Pos'r April 3, 1951 5 Sheewf-Shee'cl Filed March 8, 1946 April-39 1951 R. L. BEEKMAN 2,547,616

INDEXING TURRET TOOL POST Filed March 8, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 d@ nuj lInval/tor .foire/# j), eekmdzz R. L. BEEKMAN INDEXING TURRET TOOL POSTApril 3, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 8, 1946 I :mentor R. L.BEEKMAN INDEXING TURRET TOOL POST pril 3; 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledMarch 8, 1946 0-5; lure/liar llll L. Bee/maiz 1% M 7 u 1w o HJ L 0l Yd5).. w ML... ---y/ 4 7 .h

wh WW latenteclv pr. 195i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 claims. 1

This invention relates to an indexing turret tool post forradjusting orindexing and locating tools relative to work on lathes and likemachines.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a tool post,particularly for lathes, turret lathes Iand the like, which may beturned or set at any one of a number of positions, that is, a pluralityconstituting a multiple of the holding and seating means, so thatrotation of the adjusting and clamping handle of the device by a singleturn in la counter-clockwise direction and return in a clockwisedirection, will automatically shift the tool turret post or block forthe desired degree of rotational adjustment so as to effectivelyposition the tools with respect to the work in any one of said pluralityof positions with extreme accuracy in the indexing to minute toleranceand without appreciable deviation due to Wear, which is taken care of byhardening the parts which co-act to take the pressure and stresses inuse in any one oi the indexing positions of the device and at any angledesired so as to insure positively accurate repetitive operations in asimple and eiicient manner, thereby expediting and insuring the highestefficiency and accuracy in the work.

Another and important object of the invention is to provide novel meansfor supporting the turret block with the tools or tool holders heldthereinf rmly and accurately on a multiple or threepoint suspensionwhich will prevent wabbling or unsteadiness thereof and which by reasonof being hardened at the co-acting supporting surfaces, will result in aminimum of wear, thereby insuring extreme accuracy in the angularadjustment of the tool block to different radial positions for the useof the various tools at different angles in operating upon the Work asthe tools are successively changed in the progressive steps of operationupon the work.

Another object of the invention is to provide a'novel construction ofindexing turret tool post having simple and novel means for releasingand disengaging the holding means from the clamped position when onceset, and which is operated by a, single handle moved in acounter-clockwise direction to release the tool block from its set orpreviously indexed position upon its center post and retaining means forholding the parts of the device in coupled relation, and by which thedevice may be readjusted or indexed to another position simultaneouslywith the actuation of the operating handle to release the block topermit the ysame to'turn, and whereby the device may be set to any otherdesired angular position upon turning the same, after which it is onlynecessary to turn the operating handle in a clockwise direction to clampthe parts in the new set or indexed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel cam means which isautomatically released upon the handle being turned in acounter-clockwise direction for a short distance less than a completeturn and then by continuing the movement of the operating handle, to setthe same in the desired angular position, whereas when the handle isturned in the clockwise direction to clamp the parts, the sameautomatically locks in the new or indexed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide means foraccurately-insuring proper indexing or adjustment of the angularposition of the turret block and tools held thereby when turned forindexing, and to permit by one continuous motion of the operatinghandle, the release of the holding means which locks the parts andcooperating cams when the handle is turned to clamp the block inadjusted indexed angular position, together with a spring actuateddetent to assist in the indexing in the different positions ofadjustment.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the device as topermit it to freely move to the released and locked positions Whilebeing accurately indexed or set inV any desired angular position byrotation of the operating handle and which by reason of the cam actionprovided, will be positively held in the locked position to clamp theblock after being indexed or adjusted angularly, to prevent it fromlifting, while allowing it to easily turn freely when the clamping meansis released by the operating handle and then indexed in one motion ofturning the handle.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the parts of thedevice that they may be readily and economically manufactured andassembled and maintain their positions for adjustment and indexing,comparatively indenitely through numerous adjustments in operation,together with means for insuring proper assembly of the parts and of thecenter post constituting a part of the clamping means for locking thesame to the base, whereby whenthe handle is in position, the securingmeans will be precluded from View and thereby act to discouragetampering or meddlesome disconnection or disassembly of the parts byinexperienced persons, thereby insuring that when the device is onceassembled by an 3 expert, it will accurately operate during itscontinual and ordinary use.

This application is a continuation in part of my prior application forpatent for ITool Turret for Use on a Lathe, Serial No. 550,983, filedAugust 24, 1944, and now abandoned, and provides means for releasing andindexing the tool block and post by movement or swing of the operatinghandle inone direction instead of requiring that the tool block beseparately manually adjusted by hand after release, and for tighteningthe device by swinging the operating handle in the opposite direction,and vfor preventing chips from interfering with the operation.

Other objects and advantagesreside inthe details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein likenumerals refer to 1ike parts throughout, and in which; n

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled turret tool post. A y l. pK n Y Figure l2 is an exploded or. disassembled View of the turret toolpost showing the various parts in perspective. v,

Figure 3 is a central vertical sectional view of the assembled turrettool post with the handle shown in locked position.

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the tool block, showing the recess in thebase thereof, and the conical depressions for indexing adjustment bymeans of the Voperating handle, and shown as 12 iny number.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary (detailed section on an enlarged scale,showing the cam actuating mechanism fr the rele'aseof the indexing meansupon turning the handle in `a counterclockwise direction for angularadjustment to different positions.

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation partly broken away, of the assembledturret tool post and showing the handle in the released position of thedevice.

Figure 7 is a sectionalview taken on the line 171 of Figure 6 andlooking in the direction indicated by thearrows.

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional View ,correspending to Figure 7 buttak'enon .thelin'e 8- -8 of Figure 6 and looking in the directionindicated by the arrows.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one ofthe locating pins of conveXlyrounded or,V Vsemispherical shape, and used in connection with theindexing means. v g w i Figure 10 is a perspective View of another formof locating pin of conical form for the same purpose as the pin shown inFigure A9. A

Figure 1l is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation showing themanner of securing the center post base in position and the'relativ'elo'- cation of the locating `and indexing pin as applied to a turrettool post. l A Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of the upperpart of the turret tool post,'showing the use of a combination of camand Afine screw threadsv for the purpose of lockingthe t'o'olblock downon the three-point button or pin means, corresponding to theillustration of the Aform shown in Figure 3 of thedrawings. Y

Figure 13 is a plan view of the deviceshown in Figure 12 with theoperating handle removed.

Figure 14 is a detailed perspective view of the upper cam and ratchet.

Figure 15 isa series of diagrammatic views illustrating in positions #lto #6 inclusive,`tle

sequence of operation of the locking and indexing mechanism, from thefully locked position, to the unlocked and indexed position, and inpositions #7 to #1l inclusive, the sequence of operation of the lockingand indexing mechanism from unlocked and indexed, back to the fullylocked position.

Referring to'the drawings in detail, in which like reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several viewgmy'indexingturret tool post is adapted for attachment to the cross-slide of themachine in the conventional manner, and comprises a lower clamping orbase plate le designed to attach the turret to the machine in theconventional manner, as by means of the cross-slide II of the lathe orother maehine, -a'nj'f approved method being employed. It is shownattached to the base I8 having the tongue or plate IG at the bottom tofit in the T- slot of themachine at the cross-slide or otherwise. Areduced lower portion I3 is provided on thebase I8 to enter the slot 20of the turret 'l'ath'e cr cross-slide lat the T-.slot of the machine tobe clamped therein as is Well-known in the a'rt. The plate I6 is spacedfrom the flattened reduced portion I9 and is secured in position bymeans of clamping and mounting screws 22 vof the socket head type passedthrough holes 2'I of the base I8, the enlarged heads 2 of said screwsseating in enlarged portions 23 of the holes 2I below the upper surfaceof the base I8 and having hexagonal or other polygonal or equivalentlyshaped sockets as shown. The top of the base I8 is also provided with aplurality of equidistantly spaced sockets 25 receiving the reduced shankportions 26 of locating pins 21 having enlarged spherical or conicalheads as shownvin Figures 9, 10 and 1'1 of the drawings with 'their`shoulders resting upon the top of the base I8 and the heads projectingupwardly therefrom. These sockets 25 and rp ins 21 are preferably threein number equidistantly spaced apart and adapted to engage in a seriesof equi'distantly spaced concentric conical indentations 28 in thebottom of a recess provided in the bottom faceof a tool 'block 29, whichindentations are a multiple of the number of sockets orseats `I25 andpins 21, and show nlas twelve in number spaced apart 30Hfromveach other,to constitute divisions of positions to the tool block may be adjustedangularly around its vertical axis or center and center'post indicatedat 38. As ythere are three of the headed pins tolengage the conicalindentations'i'n the bottom recess of the tool block v29l circularlysurrounding and clearing the periphery of the base IB also of circularform, in spaced relatioina three-point suspension is `provided which isabso'- lutely steady, positive and will not wabble, in addition toproviding clearance torpr'event inoperativenes by the collection ofVchips or grindings of metal, ywith the space open at the bottom of theclearance, to render the same self-cleaning or discharging. y

The periphery o f the circular base "I8 ispro'- vided with a pluralityoffequidis'tantlyspaced, preferably twelve V-shaped slots or notchesSIaround its rim or top'portion 'adapted to b'e engaged by a'spring detentor spring loaded ball`32, which is mounted in a radial opening vv33 inthe bottomV of the tool block and biased or pressed in position by'aspring Sil and held bya'r'etainer screw or plug 35 threaded into the'radialbp'ening. The base I8 has a centraljbore 36jwith multiplekeyfWays. 31 running "longitudinally, vertically oraxially to receive VaVkey"38 "on the periphery f the reduced lower portion 35 ofthe post 30,which has its lower end threaded as indicated at 40 for engagement by anut 4i seated in a bottom recess or depression 42 in the base i8' andhaving its bottom face above the bottom of the base said nut furtherhaving sp-anner or like sockets 43 to take a Spanner wrench or otherform of tool or key for turning or holding the same. The top of the basei8 is also provided with a concentric depression or recess 4-'3 aroundthe central bore therethrough to take a laminated shim or washer 45 atthe key-ways 3l and above the same and the key 38 seated in a recess ofthe reduced portion 39 of the center post 3k] which rests on the shim orwasher adapted for vertical adjustment of the center post thereby. Thecenter post 30 is also provided with a key-way or recess 46 opening intothev upper edge of the enlarged central portion thereof which is ofsmooth cylindrical form.

The tool block 29 has upper and lower spaced flanges consisting of alower flange 41 and an upper flange 48, through the former of which, thespring pressed or biased detent or ball 32 is mounted with a recess 45,between the flanges for receiving the tools or tool holders, which areclamped in position by socket head set screws 55 engaged throughthreaded bores 5i provided through and equidistantly spaced around theedges of the square of other desirably shaped tool blocks and shown asfour in number on each side to extend into the recess 45 and clamp orhold the tools and tool holders in position along the sides of the toolblock. The tool block 29 is also provided with a bottom circular cavityor recess 52 which rotatably fits over the top of base I8 with clearancethere between. A further reduced circular cavity 53 is provided in thetool block inwardly of the indentations 28 and above the cavity 52 totake an expansible coil spring 54 around the enlarged portion of thepost 30 to rest upon the shim or washer 45 and exert upward pressureagainst the top wall 55 of the cavity 53 which fits around the post l30at a central opening in said wall 55. A sleeve 56 is seated in acircular recess 51 in the top of the tool block 29 within flange 48thereof at its central body portion and constitutes an inner chip guardand guide with a vertical slot 58 therein to take the reduced flattenedend portion 59 of a circular pawl 5@ mounted in a horizontal radial bore6| in the tool block 29 and extending through the adjacent edge of theflange 48 thereof as seen more particularly in Figures 3, -6 and 12 ofthe drawings. The outer end of the pawl 60 is hollowed out with acounter-bore 62 to take an expansible coil spring 63 held in position bya retainer screw or plug 54 having a reduced shank 65 engaging withinand holding the spring 53 in position. The pawl 63 has its inner endmade flat to slide freely in the slot 58 in the lower part of the chipguard or sleeve 55, and the spring 63 holds the iiat end of the pawlengaged with a lower cam 66. A key 68 secured in cam B6 and engaged inthe key-way 45 ofthe t center post 3B, allows angular rotation of alower cam ring 66 thereon for an arc of 90. The lower cam ring or cam55, has four equidistantly spaced indexing slots El to receive the ilatend of pawl 50, said slots being 90 and extending across the peripheraledge of said cam ring parallel to its axis. The top surface of the camring 66, is provided With spaced diametrically opposite cams 59 withinclined camming ends 10, while the toprsurfaces may be horizontallydisposed or slightly inclined, the inclined angle, if employed,being'very slight and preferably at about 2 or 3. This is shown inFigures 3 and 5 of the drawings, or the same may be arrangedhorizontally perpendicular to the axis of the center' post and cam ring,as well as parallel to the upper and lower surfaces of the ring, asshown in Figure 12 of the dr'awe ings.

Cooperating with the lower cam, is an upper cam and ratchet ring ilhaving on the bottom thereof a pair of diametrically opposite cams orcam surfaces l2 opposing the cams 69 and inclined portions 13 disposedat the opposite ends with respect to the inclined cam surfaces 'm andeither deviating from horizontal to the extent of 2 or 3, or disposedhorizontally, as previously described in connection with the camsurfaces 65 as shown in Figures Band 5 and Figure 12 respectively. Theperiphery of the cam and ratchet ring H is also provided with ratchetteeth formed by longitudinal tapered notches 14, 90 apart in theperiphery thereof with beveled or inclined inner surfaces and radial endsurfaces ladapted to align with the slots 61 to receive the flat end 59of the pawl 60 for locking the two cams together in one direction andfor permitting the upper cam and ratchet ring to be turned independentlyof the lower cam ring, when lifted with the tool block by the spring 54.The upper cam includes a sleeve 'I5 held by a screw l5 and a top annularportion or flange 11 having a pluvrality of vertical threaded bores 18for engagement by socket head screws 19 at diametrically opposite pointsof an operating handle and outer chip guard or sleeve 8U, having anoperating handle 8| with a gripping portion 82, disposed over the uppercam, and terminating in spaced relation to the top surface of the toolblock 29, as particularly shown in Figures 1, 3 and 12 of the drawings.The purpose of the sleeve 'i5 is to stamp the same with the ratchets ornotches lil or to fit the same over similar cut-outs in the lowerreduced cylindrical portion of the cam 1i, so that the cam teeth orportions l2 may be formed to extend below the bottom surface thereof,while the sleeve l5 extends down to cooperate with the slots 8'!adjacent the top of the cam surfaces 69, so that the pawl or latch G maycooperate therewith at its vertical flat inner end, to slide in the slotin the lower part of the chip guard or sleeve and connect or span thetwo cams by bridging the space between the lower cam ring 66 `and thesleeve l5, and thus connect the two cams 65 and 'H when the cam surfacesride off one another, and to separate the two cams when they are ridingon one another, as shown in Figures 3, 5 and 12, to lower the tool block29 against the action of the spring 54 and cause the pawl to engage onlythe lower cam ring 55, as seen in Figures 3 and 12, in the lockedposition with the tool block down, so that the pins or buttons 2l willengage the indentations 23, as distinguished from the disengaged,inoperative or released position for indexing, as shown moreparticularly in Figure 6, when the tool block 29 is raised by the spring54 to disengage the identations 28 from the pins 2l for turning andindex ing the tool block and tools carried thereby by turning the handleSi in a counter-clockwise direction rst to disengage by meansof the camsand then to turn the tool block in a single con'- tinuous movement inthe same direction with the cams `553 and 12 riding off of each other topermit the tool block to raise in the related position uponcountereclockwise movement of the handle, and

i then upon clockwise movement :thereof finthefop.-v posite direction,Atorcause the Icamstorideoneach other .and fdepresszthe tool .block into,engagement with the pinsaZLat rthe depressionsf. :Ifnraised position,the ,-pawl 60 willrspan orroverliezthefslots Eiland ratchet notchesHL-so as to Lconnect .beth ofthe camsor rings 66 andgM. Thiszsnossible,because the upper cam assembly 'H is threaded directly on the upperthreaded portion `83 of ,the center post 30, Which is the upper reducedend portion thereof, and forms a clamping nut as Well, in the form shownin Figure 12,- r `a A,nut 84 in the form of a ring, is employed intheconstructionshown in Figures 2 and 3, threaded 0n thereduced upperend `83 and seatingin Ia recess 85 in the top of the cam l! andfprovidedlwith sockets `36 fora Spanner Wrench or the like to hold the upper camas Well .as the other parts in assembly, with the upper cam fitting on asmooth cylindrical reduced portion of the-,center post3 and supplementedby the-nut, instead of the cam serving also as a nut and clamping meansto hold theparts in assembly in the form shown in Figure 12. In thelatter form, the riding top surfaces of the cams are arranged paralleland horizontal perpendicular to the axis of the center post, so that theinclined ends 1 0 and 13 serve as camming surfaces to separate the camsin the locked position as shown in Figures 3 and l2, With the tool blockengaged and `seated upon the pins 21 at the indentations 2S, in whichthe tool block and tools-0r holders carried thereby, are heldagainstmovement and in accurate adjusted positions. It should also be notedthat the hardened sleeve T around the reduced lower portion of the uppercam extends by meansof yan upper peripheral ange perpendicular theretoas, indicated at 81, ors-omitted entirely, and also that the nut 84 maybe keyed to the ne threaded ,portion 83 of the center post 35B to lockthenut thereto, if desired. Also, the detent 32 may be of any othersuitable form such asI a,l tapered pin to cooperate with the notches 3iin the base i8. This also serves as an audible indicating means of theproper indexing as the springpressed detent snaps into the ratchetnotches -foranyadjustment or number of notches-desired to detere minethe angle or degree or turning. Thus, the device or turret toolpost lmaybe used on a lathe, turret lathe, screw machine, boring mill or othersimilar machine tool, which shall be .capable of rapidly and accuratelyindexing and presenting various tools to the work, requiring the vuse ofonly one hand for its operation and-embodying a device which requiresonly small relative. angular movement of the handle in unlocking,indexing and relooking of the tool block, withextremely fast operationdue to the` small .angular movement of the handle and due to `theindexing feature described, with extreme `accuracy of indexing due tothe design of the cams and Ainf dexing mechanism and positive seating ofthe tool block on the locating pins in a steady position. In addition,the toolblock is tightly clamped with a minimum of manual exertion dueto the design-of the lockingdevice and the use of fine pitch screwthreadson the centerpost in any one of the twelve ormoreangular-positions, thus giving three positionsorermore for each tooldepending upon thenumber of pins and indentations cooperating therewith.The'design alsopermits rapid detachment-0r removal from the machineandthe construction is such as to effectively prevententrance ,of-foreign lmatter into `the :working parts with-.clearance where gneeded, The device also consistsof ,relatively few parts, .which are ofample preportionsand construction and do not vcontain any weak Yordelicate 4parts andthe design is such as to insure long and accuratelife, due lto provision being made toreffectivelycornpensate for anywearfthat may develop. The device is also yof simple and of pleasingappearance and easy and cheap to manufacture due to simple design of allthe parts and absence tof complicated machining opera.- tions,Iprovision Vbeine made .for attaching the operating handle in anydesired angular YpOSiiQn and Vfor mounting a turret tool post in anyrequired angular position with respect to the actionsrof rtheseindie .ofthe machine .i991 on which it is used. VThe upper combination camassembly also serves as a Combined @am aadratehgi -and the key-Wayin thecenter post allows annular rotation-,of `the lower ycam ring With thesloping endportionsxof thev cams serving jtn-permit `separationormoving-together ofthe parts and cams as wellas the lockingandreleasingof the tool block with respect to the locating pins andindentations in the base recess of the tool block, assisted by theinclined top surfaces of the cams or the parallel horizontal surfacesthereof at right angles to the axis of the center post. In other words,either form 'may be used with equal facility kthough the form vshown 4inFigure 1 2 is slightly more simple and vpractical of the two methods,although they may be used as alternatives. The laminated shimy orwasher, is especially desirable for the purpose of adjusting thevertical height of the centerposhwhich providescompensation forany weartaking place in the cams or other parts of the device. The threeconicalor spherical buttons vor locating pins, accurately locate the device inconnection with the ratchet arrangements, and the turret block is alwaysin its correctl angular position when adjusted, in addition to beingAsupported upon a three-point support, thereby insuring ex'- tremeaccuracy in the indexing and adjustment. I n'thjsway, the locating pinsvor buttonsserve additionallyas as upport', as well as allocating meansfor the turret or tool block, as distin guished from the prior artandinsuring the correct *angular`r position `thereof and theatools or toolholderscarriedby the block. Alsofth-e adjustment means, -obviates thenecessity of -first releasing the turret or tool block and then indexingthe sameinto a new position by hand, whereas with my device, the turretis .indexedby the rotationfof the handle in one Adirection continu--ous. and .in .the same direction -with the .direction of. release. andthen is locked in thereverse direction ina simplev and eicient manner.'Ihe indentations 28,\v may besemi-spherical to mate withthesemi-spherical pinsor locating buttons, or conical as described,which are alsoadapted for usewith the conical pins. orrbuttons. Also, nocombined screw and cam action is required with the present device andwith7 the construe tionand arrangement of the cams as'described. Inother words, `the :upper caminay Abe ithreadcd directly ongthene`threads of the reducedupper portion of thefcenter post-3U, or becauseof the compound Acam arrangement employed, a simplenutsmaybeemployedffor securing thel ,cam ,on the post-as desoribed. Inthis` form,- by havingthe cams or cam'surfaces 6,9 and 12 at a slightangle 0f 2or 3% instead. 0f perpendicular zwith@afgis of the centerpostand horizontal, the Y.tool block is loQked down, tightly yon l,its,buttons or` locating Apins by a movement- Of the ,upper-cam .ini aclockwise direction, while the nut merely holds Y the upper cam inplace, preventing it from lifting, but Iallowing it to turn freely, withthe nut held by a key or pin from unscrewing, as will be obvious. Ineach instance, the handle is held in position at its center hub or cap,by means of cap screws or the like, the center cap or hub operating asan outer chip guard effectively cooperating with the lower chip guardand guide for the pawl 60. Also, itis pointed out that the upper cam tsfreely on the upper cylindrical portion of the center post, permittingease of movement and adjustment. The use of a simple and single springconstruction eliminates the use of several springs with or withoutplungers or other complicated spring means to raise the tool block asheretofore employed in the art.

In the positions of the device shown in Figure 15, the operation of thelocking and indexing device is illustrated, with the operating handleindicated in dotted lines, the upper cam and ratchet in top elevation,looking down from the top, the lower cam looking down from the top, thecenter post in its relative positions together with the pawl or latch,key in the lower cam ring, the key-way in the centerpost, allowingangular rotation of the lower cam ring 90, and

the representations of the low sections of both cams, the said slopingsections of both cams and the high sections of both cams. Referring moreespecially to the positions in Fig. 15, #l to 6 inclusive, in position#1,` the various parts are shown in the fully locked position with thehandle swung clockwise to its limit as in Figures 3 and 12. It will beseen that in this position, the high sections of both cams are incontact, forcing the lower cam downward, aidedby the ne thread on thetop of the center post engaged by the upper cam or clamping nut in theform of a ring nut as shown, and locking the tool block securely down onits base, aligned by the tapered locating pins, either conical orspherical as described, forming buttons when in position and seating inthe tapered indentations 23 or corresponding hemispherical indentations.In this position, it will be noted that the lower cam is turnedclockwise as far as it can go, and the key 68 bears against theleft-hand side of the key-way 46 and the end 59 of the pawl 60 is seenengaged in the notch or slot 61 of the lower cam or cam ring 66, but isnot in contact with the upper cam 1| and is in spaced relation thereto.

In position #2, the operating handle or lever 8| has been moved slightlycounter-clockwise approximately 45, and the action of the upper cam nutor upper cam on the screw threads 83 has been loosened slightly, and thecams are shown at the instant of starting to release with the top of thecam surfaces starting to ride on each other.

In position #3, the handle has been turned still further to the leftapproximately45 and the action of the cams has allowed the spring .54 topush the tool block 29 upward, carrying the upper cam and pawl 59-60with it, while also pushing the pawl 60 outwardly or back by the actionof the upper ratchet 14 and the upper cam bearing against the bevelledtop corner of the pawl 60.'

In position #4, the handle has been turned slightly more to the left,and in this position, the pawl 6|)v has been allowed to drop into thenotch or groove 61 of the lower cam 66 adjacent thereto and thecorresponding ratchet notch 14 of theupper cam 1| due to the action'ofjthe spring 63.. v'This relation of parts is shown clearly l0 inFigure 6. Also, in position #4, the handle 8|, upper cam 1|, lower cam66 and tool block 29 are mechanically locked together by the pawl 59-60being seated in the notches 61 and 14. However, tool block 29 has beenlifted clear of the indexing or locating pins or buttons ofsemihemispherical or conical form 21, whichever are used and is onlyheld from turning by the friction of the detent or ball 32 engaging inthe notches 3| of the base I8. It will also be noted that in position#4, the vertical sides oi the lobes of the cams 1| and 66 at the camsurfaces 12 and 69 are in contact, so that any further movement of thecam 1| to the left, will result in an equal amount of movement of cam 66in the same direction, which movement will be communicated to tool block29 by means of the pawl 59--60 being engaged in slots 61.

In position #5, the handle 8| has been turned approximately 45 furtherto the left than it was in position #4, thereby rotating the cams 1| and66 the same amount, rotating the tool block 29 due to the engagement ofthe pawl 59-60 in the slot 61. In this position, the key 68 has moved tothe left and is now approximately in the center of the key-way 46.

In position #6, the handle 8| has been turned still further to the leftand key 68 has moved counter-clockwise until further movement isprevented by coming into Vcontact with the right handside of the key-way46. Since cam 66 and tool block 29 are mechanically locked together bythe engagement of the pawl 60 in the slot 61, it is impossible for theinertia of the moving tool block 29 to carry it around any further, andno matter how fast the handle has been turned, in indexing the toolblock, it cannot turn past this point. It will be clearly seen that themechanical contact of the key 68 and the right hand side of the key-way46 positively prevents any further movement of the cams 1| and 66,handle 8| or tool block 29, in a counter-clockwise direction. Also, inthis position, the tool block 29 has been released and indexed 90,although it may be set in any other angular position, in acounter-clockwise direction, from its original locked position as shownin position #1. This f has been accomplished by an angular movement.ring 66.

of the handle inv a left-hand or counter-clockwise direction thereof, ofapproximately 240, but it is `understood that any other angular positionmay be secured, with a difference of 30 in each position of the locatingand indexing pins.

As-distinguished from the releasing and indexing positions shown inpositions #l to #6 inclusive, in position #7, the handle 8| has movedclockwise or in the opposite direction a slight amount, causing theratchet notch 14 in the upper-cam 1| to push the pawl 59--66 against theaction of the spring 63 outwardly, causing said .pawl to clear the slot61 in the lower cam During this and subsequent motion of the handle,tool block 29 is held motionless and in perfect alignment by theengagement of the spring-loaded ball or detent 32 in the proper aligningnotch 3| of the base or turntable I6.

In position #8, the handle 8| has been turned still further to theright, the position of the handle being indicated in dotted lines ineach instance, pawl 60 is riding on the cylindrical section of ratchet14, and since no movement of the lower cam 66 has taken place, theinclined or sloping portions 10 and `13 of both cams are now in contactat the top or adjacent ends thereof. Thus, it is evident that anyfurther clockwise rotation of the cam 'II willvresult in lan equalamount of rotation of the cam`66.

In position #9, the handleSI has been-moved about 45 further to theright-or clockwise, and it will be seen that the cam'66 has moved anequal amount in the same direction, and that .key'68 in cam ring 66 isnow approximately in the center of the key-way 46 of the center post 30.

In position #10, the handle 8| has been moved further in a clockwisedirection to the right, rotating the cams 66 and 'II with it, and in theposition advanced further tothe right as shown, key 68 is now in contactwith the left-handside of the keywayl-46 in the center post 30,preventing any further clockwise rotation ofthe cam 66. This position isalso shown in Figure -6. Since further rotation of the cam ring 168 isimpossible, `further rotation of `the handle'BI and the upper cam 1Iresults in pushing the cam 66 downward against the action ofthe spring54, carryingthe tool block 29 with it and locking the tool block firmlydown on the tapered or conical buttons or locating pins `21. This isshown-in position #11, which is thesameposition as in position #1,except with respect to the location of the pa-Wl 59-60, and is alsoshowninFigure :6. Sincefthe high sections 69 and12 of the cams orcamming surfaces proper, are now in contact, as in position #11, and asthese surfaces are inclined or at a slightangle of 2 or 3", or plain andat right angles to the axis of the center post 88, any further clockwiserotation of the handle 8| results in further tightening-down of the toolblock A29 by the action of the fine threads 83 or the ring nut -84 inthe first form, or of the direct threaded connection of the upper camassembly 7| with said threads in the second form, on the center post 30due to the position TI being internally threaded for receiving the ringnut 84 for engagement with the threads 83 of the center post 30. Ihereal vfunction of the cams 66 and 7|, therefore, is to rapidly depressor release the tool `block 29 with a relatively small angularInovementfof the handle 6|, while the actual tightening-down is done .bythe line-pitched screw threads83 by movement of the handle in aclockwise direction to the right in Figure 15, as distinguished from thereleasing and indexing position in a counter-clockwise Vdirection or tothe left, as described above, or the direct cammingaction in Figures1,'3 and 6.

It is also apparent that when so desired, the tool block 29 may berapidly spun or indexed by hand, by moving the handle 8| toapproximately the position shown in position #8, which 'permits themanual rotation of the tool block 29 to any of the twelve positionsindicated, when it may be clamped and locked by turning the handle 8! tothe right. In a turret tool post cf this type, itis sometimes desirableto rapidly index the tool block 29 twice or more in succession, as forinstance when only two tools are being used. By moving the handle 8|from the position #4 to .the position #6 and back to the position #4,the toolblock 29 is indexed 90 -witha 90" movement of thehandle 8|. Whenthe tool block 29 has been indexed in this manner, the desired number oftimes, the handle 8| is turned to the right to lthe position #11,thuslocking the tool block 29 in the position -to which it is adjustedand indexed. While the normal operation consists voi' lindexing toolblock 29, 90 each time, itis lsometimes desirable to index 30 or 60 fromlthe normal position. vBy turning the handle 8| t0 l2 the left until thetool block 29 has moved to the desired amount as indicated by the feelof t-he detent or ball 32 dropping into the proper aligningl notches 3|,in the baselor turntable I8, and then turning the handle 8| back to theright, it Willbe seen that the tool block 29 can be readily used in anyof the twelve angular positions. For instance, when mounted on thecompound rest of a lathe, it is sometimes necessary to have the compoundrest set at various angles to the axis Vof the lathe spindle, and stillhave the normal locked position of the tool block 29 parallel to theaxis of the lathe spindle. This condition is met by the use of severalkey-ways 31 in the base or turntable I8 at the bore 36, so that thecenter post 30 by means of the key 38 may be turned to the desiredangular position and locked in place by the key, which also ts thekey-way or slot in the center post in the lower reduced portion A39conned between or spaced from the ends thereof and the threaded portion48 with respect to the enlarged cylindrical portion proper of the centerpost 30.

Provision for wear in the screw threads 83 or "cams 66 and 1|, or thecams or cam surfaces proper, 69,18, 'I2 and 'I3 is made by the use ofthe laminated -washer or shim 45. When Wear occurs, removing one `ormore layers of the laminated .shim or washer 45 Will compensate for suchwear so that when tightly locked, the cams 66 and 1I are in their properposition as shown in Figure 6. On the other hand, positions of the partsshown in Figures 3, 11 and l2, show the tool block held thereon andadjusted in an indexed or desired angular position with the identations28 receiving the hemispherical or conical pins and holding the toolblock and tools steady in a threepoint support. Also, on a turret toolpost, it is Voften desirable to have the handle 8| in a certainposition, so that it will not be in the way of other tools used on themachine. This is provided for by having a series of holes 18 in the topof the cam assembly "II so that the handle 8| may be attached in anumber of different positions by means of the cap screws 'I9 Which Ihave shown as socket head screws having hexagonal sockets or otherpolygonal-shaped sockets for this purpose engaged by the usual form ofsocket wrench or tool. Provision for preventing the entrance of chips,dirt or other foreign matter is also made by providing the inner chipguard or guide for the pawl 60, as indicated at 56, which is surroundedand covered by an outer chip guard 88 forming the sleeve or hub of thehandler Also, the recess 52 in the bottom of the tool block, being aclose t on the turntable or base I8, prevents the entrance of foreignmatter from the bottom. While the drawings show a square or four-sidedtool block, I do not desire to be limited to this particularconstruction or geometrical shape, since it is evident that the toolblock can be made of any suitable poly-sided form, such as three, four,five or six sided and can be made to index any desired number of timesper revolution with the proper number of locating pins and the propermultiple thereof of the indentations, providing the cams v66 and 5| andtheir cam surfaces are properly proportioned and the required number ofnotches 'I4 and 3| and indexing slots 61 are provided in said cams.

Also, the key-Way V48 is made to allow the correctangular movement of,the cam ring, Furthermore, I do not limit my invention to theemploymentof the particularmethod shown ,for locating the turret. i. e.the employment of three conical or hemispherical buttons orpins spacedapart 120 in the base or turntable I8 and seating in three of the twelveconical depressions or seats shown in the recess in the underside of thetool block, for as before stated, any suitable number `may be employed,as long as the number of in- `the invention without limitation thereto,as long as the same embody the constructional principles of operationand arrangement of parts included within the scope of the descriptionand illustration.

While in the foregoing there has been shown and described the preferredembodiment of this invention it is to be understood that minor changesin the details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts maybe resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as claimed. A

What I claim as my invention is:

l. An indexing turret tool post comprising a base, a post projectingupwardly from the base, a block having a top recess and a bottom recessreceiving the base for rotation thereon, means the block, there being aspace or clearance between the top of the base and the bottom of therecess in the block, co-acting upper and lower camming members havingperipheral notches and mounted on the post and seated within the toprecess of the block, locking means carried by the block engageablewithin the peripheral notchei in said camming members simultaneously, aspring on the post between the base and the block tending to elevate theblock, and handle means on the upper end of the post to relatively turnsaid camming members in one direction and press the block down againstthe action of said spring to disengage said locking means from the uppercam member and cause the contact support means to engage in theindentations and to rela tively turn said camming members in theopposite direction to allow the spring to raise the block above thecontact supports.

2. An indexing turret tool post comprising a base, a post projectingupwardly from the base, a block having a top recess and a bottom recessreceiving the base for rotation thereon, means on the block forreceiving and holding tools or |axially of its edge, and wherein theupper camtool holders, means cooperative between the block and the basefor determining angular position of turning of the block on the base, amultiple-point locating and supporting means on the base, said blockhaving a plurality of indentations at the bottom of its bottom recess,the num- Yber of which is a multiple of the number of point directionand press the block down against the action of said spring to disengagesaid locking means from the upper cam member and cause 'the contactsupport means to engage in ther'in- 4dentations and to relatively turnsaid camming `members in the opposite direction to allow the spring toraise the block above the contact supports, said handle means includinga handle 'threaded on the upper end of the post and exjtending over theupper camming member, a 15 'means and extending down into the top recesschip guard and guide sleeve under the handle of the block to receive thelocking means ofthe cammingr members therethrough.

3. An indexing turret tool post comprising a base, a post projectingupwardly from the base,

a block having a top recess and a bottom recess receiving the base forrotation thereon, means on the block for receiving and holding 'tools ortool holders, means cooperative between the block and the base fordetermining angular position of turning of the block on the base, amultiple-point locating and supporting means on the base, said blockhaving a plurality of indentations at the bottom of its bottom recess,the number of which is a multiple of the number of point contacts forengagement of the latter in equidistantly spaced indentations uponangular adjustment of the block, co-acting upper and lower cammingmembers having peripheral notches and mounted on the post and seatedwithin the top recess of the block, locking means carried by the blockengageable within the pevripheral notches in said camming members si-`multaneously, a spring on the post between the 40 t and handle means onthe upper end of the post base and the block tending to elevate theblock,

to relatively turn the camming members in one 'direction and press theblock down against the action of said spring to disengage said lockingmeans from the upper cam member and cause the contact support means toengage in the in dentations and to relatively turn said camming membersin the opposite direction to allow the spring to raise the block abovethe contact supports, said handle means |including a nut carried by theupper camming member and threaded on the upper end of the post, and ahandle attached to the upper camming member.

4. The construction defined in claim 3, wherein the lower camming memberhas peripheral slots ming member has ratchet notches serving as stopmeans in one direction of rotation of the upper camming member withrespect to the locking means.

5. The construction defined in claim 3, wherein said center post has aperipheral recessa key on the lower camming member engaging said recessto limit the turning of the lower camming member and block with respectto the post when -top of the base, a plurality of equidistantly spacedlocating and seating pins engaged in said seats, a tool holding blockhaving tool engaging 'means and having a bottom recess fitting over androtatable on the base, a spring pressed detent carried by the block andengaging said notches, the bottom of the recess of the block havingtapered seats engageable by the pins, said seats being a multiple of thenumber of pins, said block having a reduced recess communicating withthe yrst-named recess around the post, a spring in the latter reducedrecess and having adjustment means between the same and the base, saidspring tending to elevate the block, means co-acting between the blockand the post to limit the turning of the block including a lower cammingmember keyed to the post for limited rotation relative to the latter, anupper camming member on the post, said camming members having axiallyexending peripheral notches and provided with co-acting cam surfaceswith oppos'itely sloping ends adapted to move into and out of engagedposition to depress the block onto the pins or to permit raising thereofabove the pins, said block when raised above the pins adapted to beturned for angular adjustment, a spring pressed pawl carried by theblock and engageable in the axially extending peripheral notches in thecamming members when the block and lower camming member are raised, anut threaded on the upper end of the post, rand a handle member securedto the upper camming member to turn the latter on the post tosimultaneously release the lower camming member and the block forraising movement and to lindex the same with one hand in a single stroke`in the same direction, and adapted upon turning the same in theopposite direction, to cause reverse action thereof to lower the lowercamming member and the block to seated position in indexed adjustedposition angularly.

7, In an indexing turret tool post, a base, a post adjustable thereinand projecting thereabove, said base having peripheral notchesequidistantly spaced apart, a block having a recess engaging over saidbase and provided with a spring-pressed detent to engage said notches tolocate the block with respect to the base, means between the post andbase for adjusting the same for wear, a spring surrounding the post andengaging the block to normally hold the latter upwardly, upper and lowercam members having coacting oppositely inclined cam surfaces and mountedon the post, a spring-pressed pawl carried by the block and engagingperipheral notches in said camming members when the block and lowercamming member are raised, said lower camming member, block and detentbeing movable to engage the detent with or disengage it from the uppercamming member, a handle having a chip guard depending therefrom, a chipguard and guide sleeve around the camming members in the block andreceiving the aforesaid chip guard thereover and the pawl therethrough,said handle having threaded connection with the upper end of the postfor raising the same and releasing the block to move upwardly with thelower camming member when the handle is turned in one direction and toforce the same downwardly when turned in the opposite direction forclamping the block against turning.

8. An indexing turret tool post comprising a circular base having anupstanding post, said post having a iinely threaded upper end, aplurality of locking pins mounted in and projecting upwardly from saidbase, a turret tool block rotatably mounted on said base and said post,said tool block having a plurality of sockets in its lower face forselective reception of said locking pins, constantly operativenon-positive detent means for holding the tool block against rotationrelative to said base, a spring interposed between the base and the toolblock for elevating the latter out of engagement with said locking pins,a ring disposed on said tool block and mounted on said post for verticalmovement and limited rotation relative to the latter, said ring havingtransverse peripheral slots and being provided with top cams, a nutadjustably threaded on the upper lend of sa'id post, Said nut havingtransverse peripheral ratchet teeth and being provided with bottom camscoacting with the cams of said ring to allow said spring to quicklyelevate the tool block out of engagement with the locking pins when thenut is turned in one direction and to quickly depress the tool blockinto engagement with said pins when the nut is turned in the oppositedirection, and a spring-pressed pawl carried by the tool block andsimultaneously engageable in a slot of the ring and with a ratchet toothof the nut to cause turning of the tool block in one direction when thelatter is elevated and the nut is turned in the same direction, saidratchet teeth acting to release the pawl from the slots of said ringwhen the nut is turned in the opposite direction with the tool blockelevated, said cams acting to disengage said pawl from said ratchetteeth upon depressing the ring and tool block when the nut is turned insaid opposite direction, whereby the nut may be finally threaded down onthe post to tighten the engagement of the tool block with the lockingpins and initially threaded up on the post to loosen such engagement.

9. The construction defined in claim 8, wherein said tool block has atop recess in which said ring is seated and concentric bottom recessesrespectively receiving the base and the spring.

10. The construction defined in claim 8, wherein said tool block has atop recess in which said ring is seated and concentric bottom recessesrespectively receiving the base and the spring, and telescoped chipguard sleeves respectively carried by the tool block and the nut.

ROBERT L. BEEKMAN.

REFERENCES CTED The following references are of record in the ille ofthis patent:

UNITED STA'CES PATENTS Number Name Date 462,160 Rihl Oct. 27, 18911,474,438 Muller Nov. 20, 1923 2,335,712 Vitale Nov. 30, 1943 2,355,072Honegger Aug. 8, 1944 2,358,816 Mark Sept. 26, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 29,328 Norway Jan. 6, 1919

